Back during the 2007-08 season, the Edmonton Oilers made a minor trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The deal sent D Dick Tarnstrom to Ohio, and brought back a young forward by the name of Curtis Glencross. Glencross had yet to establish himself in the NHL, and the deal was swept aside.
Glencross wouldn’t let the deal get swept aside however, as he broke out as a player of note. He was sensational for Edmonton down the stretch, and emerged as a real player at the NHL level. However, the sides entered a contract dispute, and Glencross ended up signing in Calgary as an unrestricted free agent.
Why Is He Out There:
Glencross is slated to be a free agent on July 1st, and was dealt as a rental at the deadline. The Flames moved him to Washington, where Glencross continued to serve as a solid depth player. That said, the Caps once again had playoff failures, falling in the second round.
Washington is looking for a top-line right winger, and will have to replace Mike Green while also re-signing Braden Holtby. That’s a lot of cash, and it might mean that Glencross gets let go. To this point, there have been no contract talks between the sides.
What Does He Do Well:
If Edmonton wants to fill that third line left wing spot with a veteran who knows his role, then this is the guy. Glencross is a perfect role player on a hockey team, and would fit in nicely behind Benoit Pouliot and Taylor Hall.
He’s an average sized player, 6’1” 197 pounds, but he plays a very physical style of hockey. On top of that, he’s a hard-working player that is willing to go to the dirty areas and can grind an opponent down. He wins his fair share of battles, and isn’t soft on the puck. He’s a better version of Matt Hendricks in that regard.
Glencross isn’t a liability either defensively. He plays a simple game, a kind of mistake free hockey. Curtis is the kind of player who won’t try and get pretty with it, rather he’ll just move the puck up ice and get to the front of the net when in the offensive zone.
He’s got good speed, which is a must with this team, and he has a bit of an offensive flare. In addition to making things happen in the dirty areas, Glencross possesses a pretty solid shot, and his passing ability is on par with that of the average NHL’er.
He’s a solid five-on-five player, and also has the ability to play on a penalty killing unit as well. Overall, this is a very solid role player that checks off a lot of boxes and can play multiple roles.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
If Edmonton signed Glencross this July, he’d be their third best left winger, sliding in behind Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot. That means he fills Edmonton’s last hole up front, and would be a mainstay in the top-nine forward group. It’s not the most important role, but it’s a big one and Edmonton can’t get it wrong.
Glencross is a third liner in this league, so he fits the role perfectly. This is where he should be playing.
What Will He Cost:
At 32 years old, Glencross is reaching the stage of his career where regression becomes a real topic of discussion. He likely only has a few more solid years left, so he’ll want to snag a good contract here. I’ll suggest two years at around $3 million per gets it done for Glencross.
Considering how their relationship ended a few years ago, it might cost the Oilers more than that to get him back in town.
Closing Arguments:
Edmonton needs a third line winger this summer, no questions asked. A physical player who has proven he can handle the role would be nice. That player with an offensive flare and the ability to do all the little things would be ideal for this hockey club.
Curtis Glencross is that player, making him a perfect fit with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s the kind of player that Peter Chiarelli loves too, making him a pretty realistic option.
If the contract isn’t outrageous, no guarantee on July 1st, then I’d be making a call on his availability and level of interest in signing. Let’s just hope Kevin Lowe’s previous misstep with this player doesn’t haunt them.
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